We reported earlier this week that Porsche is looking to add
what is essentially "cruise control on steroids" to its future
vehicles. The Porsche
ACC InnoDrive system will take full control of throttle inputs and
"learn" the routes that the driver regularly travels. Only the
steering will be left for the driver to control when the system is enabled.

Now, we're getting some more information on the most famous
member of the Porsche family: the 911. The next generation model will be
revealed before the end of this year, with production models going to North
American customers next year.

The new 911, codenamed 991, is growing in length again. The
911 will sit on a 4-inch longer wheelbase, while overall length grows another
2.2 inches. Compared to the last air-cooled 911, the iconic 993, the new 911
is roughly 10 inches longer with a 7-inch longer wheelbase.

Despite the expanded dimensions, the new 911 will be lighter
than outgoing 997 variant. Instead of relying primarily on steel for the
construction of the vehicle, the majority of the vehicle will now be
constructed of aluminum with high-strength steel being deployed used for
"major crash paths" according
to Inside Line.

The hybrid system isn't the only concession being made to
improve fuel efficiency for the 911; Porsche has also done the unthinkable and
ditched the 911's wonderful hydraulic steering system for an electric one.
Porsche 911 project manager Roland Achleitner explains that the excellent
steering feel will remain and that "you would not be able to tell it is
electric." Another buzzkill is that Porsche is moving to an electronic parking brake for
the new car.

When it comes to powertrains, the new 911 Carrera will share
a 3.4-liter flat-6 engine with the Boxster S that produces 350hp. The Carrera S
will be blessed with a larger displacement flat-6 producing roughly 400hp.
Power will be delivered to the rear wheels (or all four wheels in Carrera 4
guise) using a 7-speed dual-clutch (PDK) transmission or -- wait for it -- a 7-speed manual transmission.

Overall efficiency is said to improve by 12 to 15 percent
over the outgoing model.

For more information on the next Porsche 911 and the
development of the car, you can check out Inside
Line's write-up. They actually
got some passenger-seat time with a prototype of the vehicle.

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I think you got confused by my comment. Sure, you can buy winter tires and technically drive a Corvette in the winter but then you have none of the performance of the Corvette. In fact, a stock Audi A4 2.0T with quattro all-wheel drive will leave your Corvette for dead during December-March winter months the minute the road gets snow on it. You also probably have to throw 2-3 large salt bags in the back just to get traction. And good luck driving that Vette in the winter if you are in a hilly area.

The whole point of a 911 is that people do drive them all-year round. So I don't understand your argument about getting a Corvette and a Truck when you can just get a 911 and use it all year around.

But you are missing some other important factors:

1) Vette has horrible/cheap interior materials and seats2) Vette has none of the comfort/German feel on the highway that the planted 911 has3) Vette has none of the prestige of the 911 (unless you live in "Corvette" patriotic states likes Ohio, Michigan, etc.)4) Vette has inferior steering feel to the 9115) While it may lay down great times at the Nurbugring in the hands of a professional driver, the Vette is a handful to drive at the limit in real life. In other words, in the hands of an average driver, you'd kill yourself in a Vette on a track if you pushed it hard and would never be able to match the times of the modern sophisticated cars like the 911 or the GTR.6) You buy a Vette because all you care about is 1/4 mile times. A 911 buyer wants a certain level of comfort and luxury as well. At the end of the day the Vette just feels like a cheap car that can go very fast but lacks the refinement found in competing vehicles like the 911, R8, GTR.

ALL CARS with all wheel drive are better in the snow. So what? My Subaru is "better" in the snow than a Vette, so man, those Corvette guys must feel pretty dumb now. /sarcasm

quote: The whole point of a 911 is that people do drive them all-year round.

Only an idiot would use a $100k+ car as a daily driver. NOBODY does that, despite your claims.

quote: 2) Vette has none of the comfort/German feel on the highway that the planted 911 has

Terribly subjective statement. Yeah if it's not German, it sucks. Great argument.

quote: 3) Vette has none of the prestige of the 911

So? Was there a point here? What if he's not buying a car for it's "prestige"?

quote: 5) While it may lay down great times at the Nurbugring in the hands of a professional driver

Everyone uses professional drivers for lap times. Even Porsche.

quote: the Vette is a handful to drive at the limit in real life.

Yes because it's not AWD. We've already covered that. Did you have a point? I remember when 911 Turbo's used to be rear wheel drive, they were called "Widowmakers". Chevrolet has managed to make a far more drivable rwd car than Porsche EVER did considering the horsepower.

quote: 6) You buy a Vette because all you care about is 1/4 mile times.

Another stupid and subjective statement. Why don't you let Vette buyers speak for themselves instead of telling them why they are buying something.

quote: At the end of the day the Vette just feels like a cheap car that can go very fast but lacks the refinement found in competing vehicles like the 911, R8, GTR.

At the end of the day, this is your opinion.

There are no "competing" vehicles to the Corvette in that price bracket. When Porsche can make something for the same money that doesn't get utterly destroyed in a head to head comparison, give me a call.

I know you live in Canada and have a distant view of our country. In certain areas of the US, people DO drive their 911s and now Panameras as daily drivers. I live in one of those areas. Just today saw a guy with his son at Toys R Us load the front of his Turbo Convertible in the pouring rain. There are quite a few older ladies driving Panameras to the store. There are even two guys with Carrera GTs; a silver and red one. Sort of helps there is a Porsched/Audi dealer within 3 miles, but by far the most popular luxury brand in the area is MB; 550 4matics and GL450s everywhere. Even one SLS.

quote: I know you live in Canada and have a distant view of our country.

What? No I don't. I was born and raised in America. I'm just saying most people who can afford $100k+ cars don't drive them every day. For one, they are impractical, and you can easily afford a more practical car.

I can see stereotyping a mustang/camaro/GTO'so slows as drag racers but a vette guy? Most I know they will hit the drag strip occasionally, play on the highway(of course), but mainly they go to the road courses.

I just love how he stereotypes the 'Vette as some drag racing car, when it beats pretty much every Porsche in the skidpad and through the slalom without the benefit of all wheel drive. Hell the Nissan GT-R with it's vaunted AWD from God setup can't even pull 1g on the 'pad.

quote: While it may lay down great times at the Nurbugring in the hands of a professional driver, the Vette is a handful to drive at the limit in real life. In other words, in the hands of an average driver, you'd kill yourself in a Vette on a track if you pushed it hard and would never be able to match the times of the modern sophisticated cars like the 911 or the GTR.

I've driven almost every sports car that can be imported into the US. I race Corvettes as a hobby. So I can instantly tell that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about and most likely last was a passenger in a 1990 C4.

Technically, Porsches are very nice cars. I've never argued against that. I just indicated that I don't like thier decades old styling. But Corvettes are very much on par with everything that Porsche offers. To infer otherwise, just shows your ignorance. OK, I'll give you interiors.

But for your information, while Porsche pumps tons of money into Nurburgring times, GM brought over a ZR1.....once.....and it was piloted by an engineer.....not a professional. Sad thing is, it still destroyed any current Porsche's times.